ABNC Initiatives: Schools

Participants in a Teacher Workshop

The Center facilitates the implementation of Environment as Integrating Context (EIC), a national school reform program adopted by the state. Developing and training teachers to use schoolyard trails, outdoor study stations, and service learning projects is core to EIC implementation. We are teaming teachers in the Orange Elementary Schools, our region’s demonstration site for this initiative. The Warwick Community School, Athol-Royalston Schools, and others in our region work with staff and volunteers to spread EIC practices into other classrooms.

The Center runs and facilitates collaboratively designed teacher professional development workshops and seminars that enable teachers to develop community related studies. With time dedicated to curriculum design in these seminars, teachers can be sure that their students engage in projects that will meet state and local curriculum mandates. Our staff regularly co-teaches in classrooms with teachers in these programs, we provide materials for student projects and bring other community members into the classroom as local experts in the topic under study. The National Science Foundation funds our work with Harvard Forest that brings schoolyard studies to area schools that are modeled after research conducted by scientists at Harvard Forest.

Area teachers have requested additional trail development near their schools, enhancement of transitional habitats around the playgrounds for study sites, and that study sites be set up along nature trails. The Center staff facilitates such trail development and the purchase of native plants, nest boxes, and construction of small group study areas that can increase biodiversity and direct students to key study sites.

These school programs are primarily funded by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. The Center provides volunteer training sessions and materials.

Please call 978-248-9491 if you would like to volunteer in one of these school programs.

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Next Meetings

“Early Bird” Birding with JeffMay 25, 2018 at 7:00 AM – 12:00 PMJoin Jeff here at the Center before heading out to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Severe weather cancels. Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052. MREC 100 Main Street Atholyl���~S�l

Herp Big Day with Bill and JoeMay 27, 2018 at 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMJoin Bill Benner and Joe Wicinski for a day of looking for "Herps" Reptiles and Amphibians in the North Quabbin Area. Bill and Joe are enthusiastic herpers and we will hope to find a good variety of snakes, turtles, and salamanders. Be prepared for walking, bring lunch, water, and your sense of adventure. Rain Cancels.…

Nancy Goodman Botany Walk June 9, 2018 at 10:00 AM – 2:00 PMJoin Nancy Goodman, Naturalist and Plant Conservation Volunteer with New England Wild Flower Society for this botanical exploration of the Bearsden Conservation Area. Trees surround us and support us in so many important ways. Though they're rooted in one place, they are complex, fascinating, and beautiful living things. Plants are also fascinating to look at and identify. …

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Membership

Your membership allows the Athol Bird and Nature Club the ability to operate the Millers River Environmental Center, provide unique quality programming of interest to naturalists and provide opportunities for field adventures throughout the year. Join or donate now:https://atholbirdclub.org/abnc-membership/